Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-11-19
AN INCIDENT.

hat spangled the meadow grass with diG-
nonds The air, street. and fresh, had still a
moisture in it, but bore on it the scent Of
moss and hay, and perhaps of bean flowers.
4 young lady standing at the gate into a
arge meadow inhaled the soft breeze with
apture, and acknowledged mentally that
Ter unusual early rising had bestowed on her
great and novel pleasure. The meadow
nto which she was gazing was of some ex-
ent, as we have said, and was studded with
groups of elm trees, beneath one of which
Some cows were being MIXED by a maid and
boy. The milkmaid was singing, and her
voice sounded sweet and fresh in the stiffness,
ihough a moment afterward Il lark sprang
upwards with a burst of melody that once
wholly engrossed Miss Denzil's attention.
The young heiress-for such she was-had
travelled in lovely lands, and seen most of the
wonders of nature and of European art, but
such a sacred and home felt delight as she
experienced now was at once new to her and
delightful Never before in her twenty years
If life had she risen at dawn, dressed with
,ut assistance, and gone forth alone; aye,
even beyond the park gates. The inheritor
If great wealth, she had been left an orphan
n her childhood, and had been brought up
by an aunt who was old fashioned and CON
yentional, and had kept her niece in a strict
and monotonous routine Of daily life.
Thus Mary Denzil hal her troubles, petted
md considered as she VI S. Her aunt's temper
vas cross and trying, htr mode of life prim
md dull.
Those who knew all about Mary Denzils
nome wondered that she did not marry,
f it were only TO get away from the
restraints her guardian imposed on her; but
here was a depth of feeling and romance
N the girls heart, and she had not yet met
one whom she could love, or even quite trust;
or, that she would be sought for her wealth
lad been early impressed on her, and she
dreaded being married only for her money
more than she could have expressed But
Ter aunt had latterly urged the suit of man
If great wealth and position, and Mary,
nearly half persuaded and half worried into
compliance, had passed disturbed and rest
ess night, trying to make up her mind, and
nad finally risen at dawn, and gone out in
defiance of all rules to find how well nature
IAN soothe and calm her children She had
been tempted also to leave the park for the
pastures of the home farm, where her old
nurse had been established with her son as
oailiff and her daughter as dairymaid; the
laughter being Miss Denzils foster sister and
namesake.
II will have glass of the new milk" Miss
Denzil determined as the lark's song gradu-
ally foated away "Mary will be surprised
10 see me-"
And she opened the gate and proceeded
across the meadow, pausing occasionally to
listen to the distant song of the lark,
Or to a birds note from the tree,
Or to watch q splendid admiral but
Axrlc Ai,rht fxo,f tbn hon rhs 70 4ha
grass among the wild flowers, her trouble
and INDIGESTION entirely forgotten. She was
a good embodiment of spring herself, looking
even younger than her real age and with
fresh blooming complexion and abundant
golden hair, a piquant little nose and rose
bud mouth, fair and sweet and smiling,
though by no means beauty.
The milllmaid, as soon as the Tustling of
the lady's dress through the grass caught her
ear, looked up from the side of the COW
against which her head rested, and seeing
Miss Denzil rose in such surprise that she
nearly upset her milk pail.
"Well, Mary" said the young lady, lyon
seem very happy over your task. Can you
give me cup of mike
81 haven't cup, Miss Denzl,n said the
girl; "but Jim"-turning to a boy who was
milking another COW near her-''shall run to
the farm and get one"
Miss Denzl nodded assent and Jim ran off
The young lady, refusing the milking stool,
sank down on the grass, and taking off her
hat let the soft breeze play in her beautiful
fair hair, saying, with sigh of pleasure:
Chow delicious the early morning is!
How happy you must be, Mary in those
sweet meadows, with those gentle creatures,
and with your indulgent, loving mother.
You have no cares, no doubts, no fears for
the future. Tell me, are you not perfectly
happy~
"Ia! Miss Denzil," said Mary, with wide
open eyes, ''there isn't anybody that hasn't
got something to fret about, except perhaps
a grand lady like yourself"
"Oh, Mary, riches do not give happinessl
But tell me, what troubles have youl / dare
say when your mother lived at the hall and
you were with your aunt at Woolwich, you
were not quite comfortable; but now--in
such a pretty home and with dear nurse
Mary, tell me what can trouble you"
Mary colored and hung her head. "Well,
ma'am," she said, II am troubled because
can't write to my young man."
"Your young man! did not know you
had one. Who is he, and where is he's" asked
the heiress. Nurse never told me Of it,"
"No, ma'am; mother don't like me to
marry soldier But he'll soon be able to
get his discharge, and we can wait. Only,
he's in India, and can't write to him."
"Why notl Does nurse forbid itP
"Oh, no, ma'am. But | can't write. Aunt
made me take care of her children, and hao
very little schooling. To be sure, Cousin
Martha writes for me, but that amt pleas
ant"
"Well, Mary" said the young lady, 81 viii
try to help you You shall come every morn.
ing for an hour to the hall, and will teach
you to write"
Mary was warm in her thanks. "For,"
She added naively, II don't like Martha's
writing to him. She was setting her cap at
him before he went, and don't know what
she may say to him in my letters.
Miss Denzll smiled at the incipient jealousy.
II win be your amanuensis, then" she said